Boston Marathon bombing survivor reunites with man who saved her

Roseann Sdoia, Shores Salter meet for first time after bombing

UPDATED 6:29 PM EDT May 04, 2013

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. -

A Boston Marathon bombing victim was finally able to reunite with the Northeastern University student who helped save her life.

Shores Salter, of Reading, met Roseann Sdoia Saturday at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown. It was the first time the two came face to face since Salter rushed to her side on April 15, taking off his belt and using it as a tourniquet for Sdoia’s leg.

Two other first responders also rushed to help and together they somehow got the belt around her. Salter applied pressure to her wounds to help stem the bleeding before Sdoia was rushed to the hospital.

She asked News Center 5 for help in locating her hero.

"I count my blessings that one individual pulled me from the sidewalk and started the tourniquet on my leg and I wish I knew who that person was," Sdoia said last week.

Within minutes after a photo of Salter holding the belt he used was posted on WCVB.com, the station's Facebook page and its Twitter feed, Salter said he immediately began receiving text messages from his high school friends. A connection to Sdoia was then made.

Salter said he had worried for days wondering if the woman whose name he didn’t know had survived.

When Salter arrived at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, he said the first thing he did was give the Dracut native a big bear hug.

"It's just nice -- a little peace of mind to see how well she's doing. To see her spirits -- it's honestly amazing," Salter told News Center 5’s Kimberly Bookman.

He said the two talked briefly about the horrifying experience but focused their conversation mainly on Sdoia’s recovery.

Sdoia’s leg had to be amputated above the knee. She also has burns on her arm and staples in her stomach.

She thanked her hero with a 'Boston Strong' T-shirt.

"I thanked her as well. Just for being part of it and being so strong for everyone in Boston," Salter said. "Hopefully Roseann will be a lifelong friend and we'll be able to see a lot more of each other."

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